Minsiter of Education, Dr Ana Maui Taufeulungaki  (centre) at the Youth in Business Challenge.

Liahona High School and Tupou Tertiary Institute won the Youth in Business Challenge 2013 for setting up trial businesses to make caramel popcorn and marketing services.

The winning teams received their awards on Friday night, September 13 at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall presented by Hon. Dr ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki the Minister for Education.

The winner for the Secondary School category, Liahona’s 'PALOMITA’ caramel popcorn business won a five-day fully funded trip to New Zealand in November, where its four members would receive advice from successful business people and organisations in promoting trade in the Pacific.

The winner of the Tertiary Schools category Tupou Tertiary's ‘Xtreme Marketing’ received a $3,000 pa’anga investment for the development of their marketing business that includes producing brochures and business cards.

Tupou Tertiary's ‘Xtreme Marketing’ 

The challenge began in April and the judging was based on reports provided every month by the team. The final report and oral presentations was made on September 10-11 where students from 15 secondary schools and 7 tertiary school described their business activities and challenges they faced during the competition.

The Youth in Business Challenge began in 2010 an initiative of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (TCCI) in partnership with the Secondary Schools Principals Association, the Commerce Teachers Association and the Ministry of Education and Training.

This year it was funded by TCCI, TBEC, and the United Nations Development Corporate Sponsorship with local sponsors.